Multiposition actuator



July 14, 1970 HUDSON ETAL 3,520,202

MULTIPOSITION ACTUATOR 3 Sheets-She 1 Filed June 28, 1968 2 p M rd 1.. Mae 2 m wmx w 2 77 3 Sheets- She Filed June 28, 1968 Mas; Arrae/s Qfl 3,520,202 MULTIPOSITEON ACTUATOR James F. Hudson, Manhattan Beach, and Tai Y. Lee,

Los Angeles, Calif, assiguors to Transco Products,

Inc., Venice, Calif, a corporation of California Filed June 28, 1968, Ser. No. 741,135 Int. Cl. F1611 21/02 US. Cl. 74-89 25 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a multiposition actuator such as a rotary actuator, including a camming member having a plurality of camming surfaces and with each camming surface including sloping sides leading to a dwell area. A plurality of plungers are individually located adjacent each one of the camming surfaces and with the plungers each including a front portion for engagement with the sloping sides of the camming surfaces. The

plungers are arranged in a predetermined array. Each plunger has an individual actuator means operatively coupled to the plunger and upon the actuation of individual ones of the actuating means, the plungers are actuated so that the end portion of the plunger engages the sloping side to move the camming member until the end portion of the plunger is located in the dwell area. One embodiment of the invention has the camming surfaces located in a cylindrical member and the other embodiment has the camming surfaces located in a plate member.

mIn- It is often desirable to provide a multiple-position actuator for moving a member into a number of predetermined positions. For example, it is often desirable to rotate a shaft member into a number of predetermined positions in accordance with the actuation of the multiposition rotary actuator. The present invention provides for such a multiposition actuator by using a plurality of independent solenoids each controlling a plunger and with each plunger operating against an individual one of a plurality of camming surfaces. All of the camming surfaces are carried on a single member and the actuation of the individual ones of the plungers provides for a movement of the member. The movement of the member may control the rotation of a shaft into predetermined positions or may provide a movement of the member itself into predetermined positions.

For example, in one embodiment of the invention a rotatry camming member is supported on a shaft and wherein the rotary camming member includes an upstanding wall portion formed as a cylinder. Cut into the cylinder wall portion are a plurality of camming surfaces and with each camming surface including sloping sides leading to a dwell area. Individual plungers are located above the camming surfaces and each of the plungers is controlled by an individual solenoid.

Upon actuation of a particular one of the solenoids, an end portion of this particular solenoid operates against one of the sloping sides of a particular one of the camming surfaces until the end portion of the plunger is located in the dwell area. The camming member and the shaft are, therefore, rotated in accordance with the predetermined position of the plunger relative to the particular one of the camming surfaces. The plungers may be situated in a predetermined angular array around the shaft so that actuation of the individual ones of the solenoids provides for rotation of the camming member and the shaft into the predetermined positions.

Other aspects of the above-described embodiment of the invention include the use of a roller member located at the end portion of the plunger so as to reduce the United States Patent "ice 3,520,202 Patented July 14, 1970 friction between the plunger and the camming surface and to insure a proper actuation of the camming member by the plunger. Also, the dwell area of the camming surface may have a profile corresponding to the profile of the end portion of the plunger so as to provide for a positive engagement of the plunger in the dwell area once the end portion of the plunger enters the dwell area. In addition to the above, the camming surface may have an initial steep portion which then tapers into the dwell area so as to provide for a more uniform rotational torque of the camming member. The use of a camming surface having a varying slope provides for a uniform rotational torque since the slope of the camming surface may be varied-to compensate for the known characteristics of solenoids, which solenoids have a weaker thrust at the beginning of their travel than at the end of their travel.

Another embodiment of the invention uses a camming member having a plurality of opensings formed in a plate. The openings have beveled sides, which sides receive a front portion of a plurality of plungers. For example, the plungers may include an end portion which has a tapered side corresponding in its slope to the beveled side in the opening in the plate. The plate may be supported on a shaft so as to provide for a rotation of the shaft in accordance with the actuation of individual ones of the plungers. As indicated above with reference to the first embodiment of the invention, the plungers may be controlled by individual solenoids so as to provide for an individual operation of the plungers and thereby accurate- 1y control the rotation of the plate member.

It is to be appreciated that in place of a rotational movement of the camming member, a linear movement may be provided using either an upstanding wall member or a plate member with a plurality of individual plungers arranged above camming surfaces in the wall member or plate member in a similar manner to that described above.

A clearer understanding of the invention will be had with reference to the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention using a cylindrical upstanding wall portion as the camming member;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the multi* position rotary actuator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an extended view of the camming member of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a first modification of a camming surface which modification may be used to form camming surfaces in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a second modification of a camming surface which modification may be used to form camming surfaces in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention using a plate member as the camming member;

FIG. 7 illustrates one of the plungers of FIG. 6 in a partially extended position so as to initially engage one of the openings in the rotary plate member; and

FIG. 8 illustrates the plunger of FIG. 7 in its fully extended position, thereby providing for an actuation of the plate member of FIG. 6 to a predetermined position.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a multiposition rotary actuator 10 includes an outer housing 12, which housing includes a cylindrical outer wall 14 and top and bottom walls 16 and 18. As can be seen in more detail in FIG. 2, the bottom wall 18 may be integrally formed with the cylindrical wall 14. A plurality of openings 20 may be cut out of the cylindrical wall 14.

Intermediate the top and bottom walls 16 and 18 is a wall member 22 located within the cylindrical outer wall 14. The wall member 22 is used to provide support for other portions of the multiposition rotary actuator, as will be explained. Specifically, a shaft 24 is supported be tween the walls 18 and 22 by bearings 26 and 28. The bearings 26 and 28 allow the shaft 24 to freely rotate within the housing 12. In addition, it is noted that the shaft 24 includes a portion 30 which extends outside the housing 12 and this portion 30 of the shaft 24 may be used to drive an appropriate mechanism to predetermined rotational positions.

Mounted on the shaft 24 for rotation with the shaft is a camming member 32 including an upstanding wall portion 34 forming a cylindrical wall portion. The cylindrical wall portion 34 includes cutout portions 36 forming individual camming surfaces. For example, a particular camming surface 36 shown in FIG. 1 includes a pair of sloping sides 38 and 40, each leading to a common dwell area 42.

Located above each camming surface 36 is a plunger 44. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the end portion of the plunger 44 is formed by a roller member 46. The plunger 44 slides through a sleeve member 48 which sleeve member is locked on the wall member 22 through the use of an integral flange 50' and a holding device such as a nut 52. The roller 46 rotates about a shaft 54 which shaft 54 is supported by the plunger 44. Specifically, the shaft 54 passes through an opening in the plunger 44 and as can be seen in FIG. 2, the lower portion 56 of the plunger 44 extends downwardly to surround the cylindrical member 44 and thereby operate as guide means.

The upper portion of the plunger 44 includes a cap member 58 and a helical spring 60 is supported between the cap member 58 and the sleeve member 48. The helical spring 60 is normally biased in a direction to urge the plunger away from the cylindrical wall member 34.

A plurality of individual solenoids 62 are supported on the upper wall member 16. The solenoids include an armature 64 which has a nose portion 66. The nose portion of the armature pushes against the cap member 58 so as to provide an actuation of the plunger 44 in a direction to have the roller member 46 engage the camming surface 36. As can be seen in FIG. 1, one of the solenoids 62 is actuated to have the armature 64 actuated in a downward direction. When the armature 64 is actuated, the nose portion 66 pushes against the cap 58 to provide for a rotation of the cylindrical wall portion 34 in accordance with the engagement of the roller 46 against the camming surface 36.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, the full actuation of the solenoid 62 provides for the ultimate location of the roller 46 in the dwell portion 42 of the camming surface 36. The rotation of the cylindrical wall portion 34 also provides for a rotation of the shaft 24. It is to be appreciated that as shown in FIG. 1 a plurality of individual solenoids are positioned over a plurality of individual plunger mechanisms which plunger mechanisms are designed to engage individual ones of the plurality of camming surfaces 36 located in the cylindrical wall portion 34.

The cylindrical member 34 is shown in an extended view in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, there are five camming surfaces 36 located around the circumference of the wall member 34. In addition, five roller members 46 are shown located above the camming surfaces 36. In the particular example shown in FIG. 3, the two end camming surfaces 36 have a slightly different construction than the three center camming surfaces. Specifically, the camming surfaces at the ends have non-symmetrical sloping sides leading to the dwell area while the three middle camming surfaces have symmetrical sloping sides leading to the dwell area.

In the structure of FIG. 3, the leftmost roller member is controlling the position of the cylindrical wall member 34. This is true since the leftmost roller member is fit in engagement with the camming surface and is located in the dwell area. Actuation of other ones of the roller members 46 provides for a clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of the cylindrical wall member 34 into discrete positions in accordance with the particular positions of the roller members. For example, note that if the center roller member is actuated as shown by the dotted line 68, the cylindrical wall member 34 is moved to the right as contrasted with the position of the wall member 34 as shown by the full-line drawing. It may, therefore, be seen that the particular discrete positions of the cylindrical wall member 34 may be controlled in accordance with the position of the rollers in relation to the position of the dwell portion of the cam surface 36. It is, therefore, possible to provide for discrete and highly accurate predetermined positions for the rotary actuator. It is also to be appreciated that the camming member, as shown by the camming member 34 in FIG. 3, may also be a straight member so as to provide for a linear movement of the camming member in accordance with the actuation of the individual plungers.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative structure for the camming surfaces 36 shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. For example, in FIG. 4 a camming surface is curved so as to have a steeply sloping portion 102 leading to a more gradually sloping portion 104 immediately before the dwell area 106. The other side of the camming surface 100 away from the surface including the portions 102 and 104 has a very steep surface 108. The particular design of the camming surface of FIG. 4 is suitable for use with solenoids which have a weak initial thrust as compared to the end thrust. The cam surface 100 is curved to obtain a more uniform rotation torque by providing for a more steeply inclined surface 102 when the thrust is low. The sharply inclined surface 108 is used to provide a cushion for the roller 46 when it enters the dwell area 106. This prevents the roller from going up the opposite side of the cam surface 100.

Another embodiment of a camming surface which may be used in the structure of FIGS. 1 through 3 is shown in FIG. 5 and includes a camming surface which has a circular portion 152, which portion 152 has the same circumference as the roller member 46. There is also a dip in the camming surface 150 at the area 154 so that the roller member 46 tends to lock in the area 152. This structure of FIG. 5, therefore, provides for a very positive engagement of the roller member 46 in the dwell area.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a multiposition actuator which may be used as an alternative structure to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and specifically the embodiment of FIG. 6 includes a plate camming member 200 which has a plurality of openings 202 positioned around the plate member 200. The plate member 200 may be used in place of the rotary member 32 including the cylindrical wall portion 34 so as to provide for a rotation of the shaft 24. Each of the openings 202 may be circular and includes a beveled wall 204 which leads to a dwell area 2110. A plurality of plungers 206 are positioned adjacent each one of the openings 202 and each plunger includes an end portion 208 which has a taper corresponding to the beveled surface 204 of the openings 202.

As shown in FIG. 7 and prior to actuation of a solenoid, the plate 200 is always positioned to have all but one of the openings 202 offset from the center line of the plungers 200. When an individual one of the plungers 200 is actuated by individual solenoids in the same manner as shown with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the plunger 200 moves downward as shown by the dotted position in FIG. 7. The plunger 200 initially engages the sloping wall portion 204. As indicated above, the end portion 208 of the plunger 206 has a taper corresponding to the tapered or beveled sides 204 of the opening 202.

A further actuation of the plunger 206 produces the condition shown in FIG. 8 where the end portion 208 of the plunger 206 is fully engaged in the opening 202 and is situated in the dwell area 210. The plate 200 is, therefore, moved to the right as shown by arrow 212 upon the actuation of the plunger 206. It may therefore be seen that actuation of individual ones of the plungers 206 produces clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of the plate 200 which in turn produces clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 24'.

It is to be appreciated that with regard to the em'bodiment shown in FIGS. 6 through 8, the plate may have the openings 202 arranged along a line so as to produce a linear movement of the plate.

It is, therefore, apparent that the present invention discloses a multiposition actuator providing for actuation of a camming member to a plurality of predetermined positions. The multiposition actuator may be a rotary actuator and include either a plate member or a cylindrical member having camming surfaces and with individual plungers located above those camming surfaces to provide for a rotation of the camming member. Individual solenoids are operatively coupled to the plungers to provide an actuation of the plungers and to have the plungers engage the camming surfaces to rotate the camming member in the above-described manner. Although the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be appreciated that various adaptations and modifications may be made. For example, the camming member may be a plate member having camming surfaces formed by removing portions of the plate member at the periphery of the plate member. The individual solenoids may then be located radially around and in the plane of the plate member so as to produce a rotation of the plate member upon actuation of individual ones of the individual solenoids. The invention, therefore, is only to be limited by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A multiposition rotary actuator, including:

a rotary member having a plurality of beveled surfaces at angular locations around the rotary member,

a plurality of individual plungers each located above a different one of the beveled surfaces in the plurality and located at a discrete angular position different from the location of the other plungers relative to their associated beveled surfaces and each plunger including a particular portion for engaging an individual one of the beveled surfaces to displace the rotary member through an angle dependent upon the angular relationship between that plunger and its associated beveled surface, and

a plurality of actuating means each operatively coupled to a different one of the plungers in the plurality for actuating the coupled plunger to have the particular portion of the plunger engage the beveled surface to provide a rotary movement of the rotary member to the discrete angular position in accordance with the actuation of the individual plunger.

2. The multiposition rotary actuator of claim 1 wherein the rotary member includes an upstanding wall forming an annular portion and wherein the beveled surfaces are formed at progressive angular positions in the annular portion.

3. The multiposition rotary actuator of claim 1 wheresurface including a dwell area and sloping sides leading to the dwell area,

a plurality of plungers each individually located adjacent a different one of the camming surfaces in a different angular displacement relative to the adjacent plunger in comparison to the angular displacement between the other plungers and their associated camming surfaces, each plunger being operative upon the adjacent camming surface, when actuated, to displace the cam member to the dwell position relative to the plunger in accordance with the angular displacement between the plunger and the camming surface, and

a plurality of actuator means each operatively coupled to a different one of the plungers for individually actuating the plungers.

. 6. The multiposition rotary actuator of claim 5, where- 1n the rotary cam member includes an upstanding wall forming an annular portion and wherein the camming surfaces are formed progressively at angularly displaced posit1ons in the annular portion.

7. The multiposition rotary actuator of claim 5 wherein the rotary cam member includes a plate member and wherein the camming surfaces are formed as openings in the plate member.

8. The multiposition rotary actuator of claim 5 wherein the actuator means includues a plurality of individual solenoids each individually coupled to a different one of the plungers to actuate the coupled plunger.

9. The multiposition rotary actuator of claim 5 wherein the dwell portion of each camming surface has a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the adjacent plunger to provide a nesting of the plunger in the camming surface.

10. The multiposition rotary actuator of claim 9 wherein the dwell portion of each camming surface has a dip to iacilitate the nesting of the plunger in the camming sur ace.

11. A multiposition actuator, including:

a laterally movable cam member including a plurality of camming surfaces, each camming surface including a dwell area and sloping sides leading to the dwell area,

a plurality of plungers each individually located adjacent a different one of the camming surfaces and including a particular portion for engagement with the adjacent one of the camming surfaces, each of the plungers being displaced by a different lateral distance from the dwell area of the adjacent camming surface relative to the lateral displacement between each of the other plungers and their adjacent camming surfaces, and

a plurality of individual actuator means each operatively coupled to a different one of the plungers for actuating the coupled plunger, when energized, to move the plunger into engagement with the adjacent camming surface for a lateral movement of the cam member until the particular portion of the plunger is situated in the dwell area.

12. The multiposition actuator of claim 11 wherein the particular portion of each of the plungers includes a roller member.

13. The multiposition actuator of claim 11 wherein the dwell area of the camming surface has a profile corresponding substantially to the profile of the portion of the plunger.

14. The multiposition actuator of claim 13 wherein the dwell area of the camming surface has a dip.

15. A multiposition rotary actuator including:

a shaft,

a rotary cam member including an annular wall for rotation about an axis defined by the shaft, the annular wall including a plurality of camming surfaces located at discrete angular positions along the wall, each camming surface including a dwell area and sloping sides leading to the dwell area,

a plurality of plungers, each individually located adjacent a different one of the camming surfaces at a different angular disposition relative to the adjacent camming surface in comparison to the angular disposition of the other plungers relative to their adjacent camming surfaces, and

a plurality of actuator means each operatively coupled to a different one of the plungers for individually actuating the associated plunger into engagement with the adjacent camming surface to obtain a rotation of the rotary cam member until the plunger is situated in the dwell area.

16. The multiposition rotary actuator of claim 15 wherein each of the individual plungers includes a roller member for engagement with the sloping sides of the adjacent camming surface.

17. The multiposition rotary actuator of claim 15 wherein the sloping sides are initially steep and then taper down to the dwell area.

18. The multiposition rotary actuator of claim 15 wherein the dwell portion of each camming surface has a profile corresponding to the profile of the adjacent roller member.

19. The multiposition rotary actuator of claim 18 wherein the dwell portion of each actuator has a dip.

20. An actuator including:

a laterally movable cam member including a camming surface having a dwell area and sloping sides leading to the dwell area,

a plunger located adjacent the camming surface and including a particular portion for engagement with the camming surface,

the dwell area of the camming surface and the particular portion of the plunger having corresponding profiles to provide for a nesting of the particular portion of the plunger in the dwell area of the camming surface,

the plunger being displaced by a lateral distance from the dwell area of the adjacent camming surface to provide a lateral displacement of the cam member when the particular portion of the plunger engages the camming surface, and

actuator means operatively coupled to the plunger for actuating, when energized, the particular portion of the plunger into engagement with the camming surface.

21. The actuator set forth in claim 20 wherein the dwell portion of the camming surface has a dip.

22. The actuator set forth in claim 20 wherein the cam member is rotary and includes an upstanding wall forming an annular portion and wherein the camming surface is formed in the annular portion of the upstanding Wall.

23. A multiposition rotary actuator, including a rotary plate member having a plurality of openings including beveled sides at angular locations around the rotary member,

a plurality of individual plungers located above the Openings and with the individual plungers located at discrete angular positions and with the plunger including a tapered end portion for engaging an individual one of the beveled sides, and

actuating means operatively coupled to the plungers for actuating the plungers to have the tapered end portions engage the beveled sides to provide a rotary movement of the rotary member to the discrete angular positions in accordance with the actuation of individual ones of the plungers.

24. The multiposition rotary actuator of claim 23 wherein the openings in the rotary plate member are circular.

25. The multiposition rotary actuator of claim 24 wherein the tapered end portion of the plungers corresponds in profile to the beveled sides of the openings.

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 7/1935 Great Britain. 6/1949 Canada.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

